When Kentucky was preparing to play in the Liberty Bowl, offensive coordinator Joker Phillips didn't mince words about the Cats' need at running back for next season and beyond.
"We have one running back (Alfonso Smith) right now going into next season. Most teams go into a year with five or six backs on scholarship. Now we would only have two (Smith and Derrick Locke) for next year. We have to get some big guys that can stand physical play," said Phillips.
Kentucky already had a commitment from Dakotah Tyler of Indianapolis, a 6-5, 210-pound running back, then. However, with Locke's return for 2009 in limbo because of the knee injury he suffered midway of the 2008 season and the academic suspension of Moncell Allen, Phillips knew he needed more depth at running back.
The Cats now have a commitment from another back as Florida's Donald Russell verbally joined UK's recruiting class Thursday night. He ran for almost 1,000 yards and scored 15 touchdowns at William T. Dwyer High School last season. He also had 500 yards receiving
